2002 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK 230 KOMPRESSOR key

188 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Low engine oil level warning lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the
oil level warning lamp comes on. It should
go out immediately when the engine is
running.
If the warning lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, or comes on with the engine running and at
operating temperature, the engine oil level has dropped
to approximately the minimum mark on the dipstick.
When this occurs, the warning lamp will first come on
intermittently and then stay on if the oil level drops
further.
If no leaks are noted, continue to drive to the nearest
service station where the engine oil should be topped to
the “full” mark on the dipstick with an approved oil.
The low engine oil level warning light should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the light illuminated
could result in serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
In addition to the warning lamp, the engine oil level
should be periodically checked with the dipstick, for
example during a fuel stop, or before a long trip, see
page 197.Charge indicator lamp
Should the charge indicator lamp fail to
come on prior to starting when the key is in
steering lock position 2 or should it fail to go
out after starting or during operation, this indicates a
malfunction which must be repaired immediately at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If the charge indicator lamp comes on, or a loss of power
steering assistance is noticeable while the engine is
running, this may indicate that one of the two poly-V-
belts has broken. Should this condition occur, the poly-
V-belt must be replaced before continuing to operate the
vehicle. Otherwise, the engine may overheat due to an
inoperative water pump which may result in damage to
the engine.
Do not continue to drive the vehicle with the charge
indicator lamp illuminated. Doing so could result in
serious engine damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

189 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Exterior lamp failure indicator lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, an
indicator lamp comes on. It should go out
when the engine is running.
If the warning lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, or if it comes on while driving, this lamp
indicates a failure in the parking lamp, taillamp, stop
lamp, or low beam headlamp.
If an exterior lamp fails, the indicator lamp will come on
only when that lamp is switched on.
If a brake lamp fails, the lamp failure indicator will
come on when applying the brake and stays on until the
engine is turned off.
Note:
If additional lighting equipment is installed (e.g.
auxiliary headlamps etc.) be certain to connect into the
fuse before the failure indicator monitoring unit in
order to avoid damaging the system.Additional function indicator lamps
(in the odometer display)
FSS indicator (distance, Service A),
see page 77.
FSS indicator (distance, Service B)
see page 77.
FSS indicator (days, Service A), see page 77.
FSS indicator (days, Service B), see page 77.
Start lock-out malfunction, see page 23.

190 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Malfunction and indicator lamp in the
center console
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
The 7 indicator lamp will light up for approximately
6 seconds when you turn the key in steering lock to
position 1 or 2.
It does not light up if there is a fault in the system.
The 7 indicator lamp stays lit as long as a
BabySmart
TM child seat is properly installed on the front
passenger seat. It indicates that the front passenger
airbag is switched off.
See page 51 for BabySmart
TM airbag and its deactivation
system.
Wa r n i n g !
The BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system will
ONLY work with a special child seat designed to
operate with it. It will not work with child seats
which are not BabySmart
TM compatible.
Never place anything between seat cushion and
child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces the
effectiveness of the deactivation system.Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of special child seats.The passenger front airbag will not deploy only if
the 7 indicator lamp remains illuminated.Please be sure to check the indicator every time
you use the special system child seat. Should the
light go out while the restraint is installed, please
check installation. If the light remains out, do not
use the BabySmart
TM restraint to transport children
on the passenger seat until the system has been
repaired.

212 Tires, wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Inflating the collapsible spare tire
(SLK 230 Kompressor and SLK 320 only)
The air pump is located inside the wheel well in the
trunk.
1Filler hose
2Electrical plug
3Pressure gauge with vent screw1. Remove air pump from storage compartment inside
trunk.
2. Open lid and pull out air hose with pressure gauge
and electrical plug.
Observe instructions on air pump label.
3. Unscrew tire valve cap from spare wheel tire valve.
4. Screw filler hose onto tire valve.
5. Plug air pump electrical plug into vehicle cigar
lighter.
6. To switch on air pump, turn key in steering lock to
position 1.
Important!
Do not start engine.
P40.10-2124-26
1
0
45 6max. 6 min
A 170 584 01 38 AIR COMPRESSOR 23
Mercedes-Benz
2
3
2 1
1
2,5 bar
36 psi1
0 23
4
5
620PSI
BAR40
60
80
LUFTPRESSER12
12
3
Wa r n i n g !
To prevent possible injury when unscrewing air
pump filler hose from tire valve after inflating the
tire, use a rag since the tire valve could be hot.

213 Tires, wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index 7. Operate air pump (approximately 5 minutes) until
pressure gauge displays 36 psi (2.5 bar).
8. To switch off air pump, turn key in steering lock to
position 0.
9. Unscrew filler hose from tire. Reinstall tire valve
cap.
Note:
Excessive tire air pressure should be released using the
vent screw.Storing spare wheel in wheel well
Deflate spare tire:
1. Unscrew valve stem removal tool, which is a part of
the valve cap, from tire valve.
2. Using the valve stem removal tool, open tire valve
slightly by turning the tire valve insert
counterclockwise to release air pressure.
3. When the tire air pressure has been released,
remove tire valve insert (protect it from dirt and
sand) using the previously removed tire valve cap.
4. Once all air is out of the tire, and the tire has
collapsed to its original shape, reinstall the tire
valve insert and valve cap.
Place spare wheel in wheel well and secure it with air
pump holder. Turn pump holder clockwise to its stop.

217 Tires, wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index 10. The air pump is located inside the storage box,
see page 202. Observe instructions on air pump
label.11. Remove air pump from storage box inside trunk.
12. Pull out air hose with pressure gauge (5) and
electrical plug (6).
13. Screw filler hose (5) onto tire valve.
14. Plug air pump electrical plug (6) into vehicle cigar
lighter.
15. To switch on air pump, turn key in steering lock to
position 1.
Note:
After 5 minutes, pressure gauge must display
26 psi (1.8 bar). Do not exceed the maximum pressure
of 36 psi (2.5 bar)!
If pressure is not attained, drive vehicle
approx. 394 in (10 m), so that the sealing material is
evenly distributed inside the tire. Reconnect air pump
and inflate tire.
P40.10-2160-26
65

218 Tires, wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Note:
Do not operate electric air pump longer that 6 minutes
without interruption. Air pump could overheat! After air
pump has cooled off, operate air pump again.
16. To switch off air pump, turn key in steering lock to
position 0.
17. Reinstall valve tire cap.
18. Drive vehicle to distribute the sealant evenly inside
the tire.Notes:
If TIREFIT is liquid, clean water and a damp cloth will
remove the material from the vehicle or tire and wheel
components. Once TIREFIT sealing material had dried,
it can easily be peeled off and properly discarded.
Replace TIREFIT every 4 years.
Wa r n i n g !
If a tire pressure of 26 psi (1.8 bar) is not attained,
tire is too severely damaged for TIREFIT to provide
a reliable tire repair.In this case TIREFIT can not properly seal the tire.Do not drive the vehicle.Contact the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center or call
Roadside Assistance.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not exceed vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km / h).
A TIREFIT repair is not designed to operate at
higher speeds.Vehicle handling characteristics may change.After driving vehicle for an initial 10 minutes,
check tire pressure. If tire pressure has fallen
below 20 psi (1.3 bar) do not continue to drive the
vehicle.If tire pressure is at least 20 psi (1.3 bar), inflate
tire to correct pressure (see label on fuel filler
flap), and drive vehicle to nearest tire repair
facility to have tire repaired or replaced.Recommended duration of use: 300 miles (500 km)
at 50 mph (80 km / h) with the recommended tire
pressure.

221 Battery
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Therefore, we strongly recommend that you have the
battery charge checked frequently, and corrected if
necessary, especially if you use the vehicle less than
approximately 200 miles (300 km) per month,
mostly for short distance trips, or if it is not used for
long periods of time.
Only charge a battery with a battery charger after the
battery has been disconnected from the vehicle’s
electrical circuit.
Always disconnect the battery negative lead first and
connect last.
When removing and connecting the battery, always
make sure that all electrical consumers are off and the
key is in steering lock position 0. The battery must
always be securely installed when the vehicle is in
operation. During removal and installation always
protect the disconnected battery positive (+) terminal
with the cover attached to the battery.
While the engine is running the battery terminal clamps
must not be loosened or detached, otherwise the
generator and other electronic components will be
damaged.Battery recycling
Batteries contain materials that can harm the
environment with improper disposal.
Large 12 Volt storage batteries contain lead.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred method of
disposal.
Many states require sellers of batteries to accept old
batteries for recycling.